Today's post is related to the collaboration of Simon with rock legend Pete Townshend (The Who), Mr Phillips has played on and off with Townshend for over 30 years now, and he recorded 4 solo albums with the legendary guitarist: Emtpy Glass (1980), All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes (1982), White City (1985) and The Iron Man (1989).

Simon played live with Pete on many occasions, with Pete Townshend's Deep End (1986), with The Who (1989) and Pete Townshend live in NYC (1993).

Here's a few links highlighting some of Simon's work with Pete Townshend.

Today's post is related to the collaboration of Simon with rock legend Pete Townshend (The Who), Mr Phillips has played on and off with Townshend for over 30 years now, and he recorded 4 solo albums with the legendary guitarist: Emtpy Glass (1980), All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes (1982), White City (1985) and The Iron Man (1989).

Simon played live with Pete on many occasions, with Pete Townshend's Deep End (1986), with The Who (1989) and Pete Townshend live in NYC (1993).

Here's a few links highlighting some of Simon's work with Pete Townshend.

Wow, those Townsend gigs were a big band setup. Of course, Simon nailed it. I especially like his little 16th kick syncopation in the verse groove on "won't get fooled again". A standard rock vibe groove we all use, but it's so perfectly placed in that number.

"Little Drummer Boy" from the album We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year (2008), being so near to christmas, I thought that this groove from Simon would be quite the perfect little "present" for you my DrummerFriends...

"Dragonball Z & Z2" a recording session for the video game, I don't know the date of this session, but judging by Simon's look and the drumkit, I'll say it's early 2000's, now that song rocks! Simon, Steve Lukather, Mike Porcaro and the Horns from Tower of Power (no less), I like Steve's comments at the end "Are we getting close?", I thought that was close enough!!!

"Feels Like A Good Thing" by the Michael Schenker Group from their first album (1980) it's hard to believe that it's the same rythm section as the song above... The funny thing is, MSG were doing their 30th anniversary tour last year, and it's Simon playing it...

"Feels Like A Good Thing" by the Michael Schenker Group from their first album (1980) it's hard to believe that it's the same rythm section as the song above... The funny thing is, MSG were doing their 30th anniversary tour last year, and it's Simon playing it...

.... sorry Andy, it's not the full piece, but the quality is good, I liked the beard!!!

Enjoy!

This is really too much to take :) Loving these tracks. MSG when Simon was 20 :) Pure class from Mo Foster, then that oh so tasteful performance with Hiromi. All this on a day when we get the huge bonus of those blues club gig tracks too. Really = overload. Loving it!!

This is really too much to take :) Loving these tracks. MSG when Simon was 20 :) Pure class from Mo Foster, then that oh so tasteful performance with Hiromi. All this on a day when we get the huge bonus of those blues club gig tracks too. Really = overload. Loving it!!

And I haven't started with mp3's yet Andy, all from my own collection... (so many good ones... but can't find them on YouTube unfortunately)

Simon had a long collaboration with multi-instrumentist and vocalist Mike Oldfield, Mr Phillips has played on four albums, Crises (1983), Discovery (1984), Islands (1987) and Heaven's Open (1991). He was the co-producer alongside Mike Oldfield on Crises and Discovery.

Here's a couple track from Mike Oldfield.

"Taurus 3" from Crises, a kind of latin rock groove with a nice toms pattern, very Phillips-esque.

Fantastic links (couldn't get the "Vito to Blue" link, but found another way). Sorry it's taken me a few days to get through these wonderful clips, but I've been pretty ill over this weekend. Gigging too :(

Fantastic links (couldn't get the "Vito to Blue" link, but found another way). Sorry it's taken me a few days to get through these wonderful clips, but I've been pretty ill over this weekend. Gigging too :(

I hope you're feeling better Andy...

I'm glad you're enjoying yourself with Mr Phillips :-))

Sorry for the link, I created my YouTube account yesterday, to be able to upload some tracks of Simon (and other drummers in the future) it's better than mp3 I think, perhaps I did something wrong, I will check it up.

Sorry for the link, I created my YouTube account yesterday, to be able to upload some tracks of Simon (and other drummers in the future) it's better than mp3 I think, perhaps I did something wrong, I will check it up.

Cheers

No, nothing wrong from your side. That clip infringed some form of publication deal in the UK. It happens from time to time on Youtube. Keep doing what you're doing man, I'm loving it!!!!!

A few days ago, I talked about the collaboration between Simon and Mo foster (bass), and one of their project RMS with long time friend of Simon, guitarist Ray Russell (they played together on various projects since 1974 with the band Chopyn). Ray is also featured on both Simon's educational videos from the early 90's.

In the early 80's, Ray, Mo and Simon, hence the name RMS, decided to put a jazz/rock/fusion band together with their own compositions.

The album Centennial Park (1982) was recorded live in a studio in one day, with a horns section which brings together the spontaneity and excitement of a live performance. The music itself is a unique blend of modern composition, improvisations and enthusiasm.

"Don't Step In It" from Pete York's Super Drumming album (1987), Pete York has made several videos and CD's bringing all the big names in drumming, this track is from the first video/CD of his saga of drumming. At the begining of the band ostinato, Simon's soloing just with the bass drums, amazing stuff...

"I Have The Touch" by Peter Gabriel from the album Shakin The Tree, Sixteen Greatest Hits, this song was originally released on PG's fourth album (1982), this version is a 1983 remix with a new drum track, additional keyboard and voice.

"Déjà Je Suis Loin" by Michel Berger from the album Beaurivage (1981), Simon leaving the UK to go acroos the channel to France to record several albums with Michel Berger (R.I.P.), an inspiring groove, I love the chorus pattern...

Wow! You've been at it again! Great selection of SP stuff. Sorry I missed this thread over the last few days, but I've been super busy. Anyhow, left comments on the YT clips. Symbiosis still does it big time for me :)

I can't believe just how good that gig is! Simon has really grown into the trio role since recording "Voice". He's now so comfortable with it, he's almost toying with the format. Such a pleasure to see. Wonderful! I'd like a high quality DVD of this.

Cheers Abe :) Henri posted the same clip in his "musicality" thread. Always little gems from Simon. Seriously though, try to listen to the Hiromi gig footage Henri posted below. It's a full gig, so you get the whole vibe in context. I love it - but will never get to play anything like that :( I need a left hand (or right in your case) that actually works ;)

Whoa! He's changed his tom arrangement (two floating toms above a single floor tom). I don't know that he's done that since the 80s, except for the extra floor tom that he sometimes adds behind his two main ones.